America On Stage Judge Tips
Basic Guidelines
· Give us your opinion of how they danced TODAY (not on reputation)
· Judge artistic expression and technical merit separately - not a generic score
· DO NOT HOLD ANY JUDGE SHEETS
· DON’T ADD SCORES. It will be done by computer.
· TURN AROUND on A CAPPELLA TEAM
· CONFIDENTIALITY - please don’t visit with other judges & stay focused on dancers
· WE MOVE QUICKLY - Schedule assumes little or NO time between entries
· LUNCH - DINNER - SNACKS PROVIDED (don't fill up on POP!)
· Please do NOT SPEAK TO DIRECTORS during breaks
Dance (Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical)
Clogging
· Put signature and # on every sheet
REGULAR SCORE SHEETS
· TEAM/DUET Give 2 Scores (10 possible) – Technical Merit and Artistic Expression between 4.5 and 5.0.
· NO HUNDREDTHS in Score
· LOTS OF COMMENTS positive!!!!! minimum 4-10 (+) & 2-4 (-) per section
FREESTYLE/SDUET/ACAP 1st ,2nd , 3rd - no
tenths – Click here for Copy of it.
·
If get OFF-BEAT – treat it like they had fallen “off the beam” in gymnastics –
no 1st
PRO SCORE SHEETS –
· PRO FREESTYLE/SDUET/ACAP 1st ,2nd , 3rd - if 1st score 1.1, 1.2, thru 1.9
· PRO TEAM/DUET Give 7 Scores – Optional 3 Scores .1 Difficulty (10.1 possible)
· You MUST score all seven categories, please score the difficulty often
· There are overalls so you might want to keep track of top scores on a notepad
· PENALTY (Head) Judges sheet – appoint by stage – only fill out if have an infraction
Judges Notes
Thank you for judging! We are excited to have you as our judge. Hopefully, this booklet will help you with tips on being a good judge here at America On Stage!
· Please don’t go talk with competitors!
When you are on a break, we need you to stay somewhat isolated. When others see you talking to directors or other dancers, they instantly think you favor them. And if they get beat by them, they figure you really favor them over themselves. We know it isn’t true, but we hear these complaints many times! Once it happens, we get all kinds of complaints. We know you can’t wait to talk to them, but please wait until after the competition is over. And speak to everyone if you can. Thank you SO much.
· Smile when you judge.
Everyone likes to think the judge is happy with them. And it builds confidence in them too.
· Be ready after a break.
When we have a minute’s break, take it! But then hurry back!
· CONFIDENTIALITY
Please don’t visit with other judges and stay focused on dancers. Talking with each other makes others think you are conferring what to give them. Dancers can be quite nervous and jump to quick conclusions! 2) Score your own score, don’t worry if you are judging the same as another judge. We want your opinion!
·
Give us your opinion of how they danced TODAY (not on
reputation)
If they danced the best of all up there, but not as good as you have seen them,
you still give them the best score because they were the best today. Or vice
versa, if they were not the best today, but are the best overall up there, they
are not given the best score.
·
Judge artistic expression and technical merit separately - not
a generic score
If they know how to smile well, but can’t stay on beat, maybe score them
a 1st in artistic expression, but 3rd on technique. Don’t
loop the scores together and give two 2nds…
·
Score while you watch. We go fast.
We have a schedule down to the minute. Adding 15 seconds to each dance will put
a competition over by an hour by days end. Once one entry is done, the next is
on stage. Score while you watch. The schedule assumes little or NO time between
entries. Thanks!
·
DO NOT HOLD ANY JUDGE SHEETS
Once done, pass them to the judge runner.
· DON’T ADD SCORES. It will be done by computer.
·
CLOG A CAPPELLA TEAM. A CAPPELLA DUET and A CAPPELLA INDIVIDUAL
GUIDELINES
Use the freestyle score sheet for all A cappella and turn around. Use
criteria you think are important. There are no rules in A Cappella except no
props in individuals and duets.
·
LUNCH - DINNER - SNACKS PROVIDED (don't fill up on POP!)
Sitting for a long time can make one quite uncomfortable when full on pop!
Score Sheets (Click to see score sheets)
Dance
Score Sheet for all Solos, Duos, Trios, Teams
Clog
Score Sheet for all Teams and Duets
Clog Score Sheet for Freestyle, A
Cappella, Short Duets, All-Around Solos
Clog Score Sheet for Pro
Teams
(All Score Sheets are in Word 2003 Format. If you can't open them,
contact
us)
Score Sheets for all Dance, Clog Teams
and Duets
Markings
· Mark Positive with “+” and Circle (O) for negatives.
·
2x as many positive as negatives
Everyone wants to know what to do better on. So tell them what needs improving
and tell them everything they did well. Most want to hear the negative, but
hearing only negative can drive confidence away.
·
5.0, 4,9, 4,8 or 4,7 are the only scores available
Even though the score sheet goes down to 4.5, the computer won’t take lower than
a 4.7, so don’t give it! It will default to 4.7.
·
Score within a narrow range and score for that level.
Decide if they are good for that level (4.9) or not so good for that level
(4.8). If they are wonderful for that level, score them a 5.0, if they are not
not good (you know what that means) score them a 4.7. Nothing wrong with a
perfect score for a novice team.
· Put signature and # on every sheet
· LOOK AT THE JUDGING REMINDERS SHEET TO HELP YOU WITH OTHER SCORING IDEAS.
Dance (Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical)
All Dance use the white score sheets that say Dance at the top
· TEAM/DUET - Give 2 Scores (10 possible) – Technical Merit and Artistic Expression between 4.7 and 5.0.
· All scores use the white team/Duet/Solo Score Sheets
· In Advanced, you will score with hundredths (4.95, 4.99). We choose one winner and this is how we break ties. If you score a 4.8 or 4.7, you need not add a hundredth, they are not in the running for the top score anyway.
· LOTS OF COMMENTS positive!!!!! minimum 4-10 (+) & 2-4 (-) per section
· Put Signature and # on every sheet
· Mark Category of routine at top of page
Clogging
Put signature and # on every sheet
REGULAR WHITE SCORE SHEETS (Use these for teams and duets – not any a cappella)
· TEAM/DUET Give 2 Scores (10 possible) – Technical Merit and Artistic Expression between 4.7 and 5.0.
· NO HUNDREDTHS in Score until Championship then add hundredths for any 4.9s you give. You don’t need to, but it is helpful if you will. (4.95, 4.99…etc)
· LOTS OF COMMENTS positive!!!!! minimum 4-10 (+) & 2-4 (-) per section
BLUE FREESTYLE SCORE SHEETS
Use for Freestyle, A Cappella (team, duet, and individual), All-Around Solos. Short Duets
Write the numbers in the line down.
Write your judges initial down.
If it is an All-Around Solo, Circle the ALL-Around Solo you are judging. You must circle it as dancers wear the same number for all AA Solos and your circle is how we tell the difference.
Score by choosing either a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. Just circle the place.
In Championship and Pro, if you give a 1st, you need to add a decimal. 1.0 is the best 1.9 is the worst. (1.9) is close to 2.0 – think of it that way. Add the decimal in the blank divided.
If get OFF-BEAT – treat it like they had fallen “off the beam” in gymnastics – no 1st
PRO SCORE SHEETS –
PRO FREESTYLE/SDUET/ACAP 1st ,2nd , 3rd - if 1st score 1.1, 1.2, thru 1.9. Use Blue Freestyle Score Sheet
PRO SCORE SHEET (Use for teams and Duets)
PRO TEAM CATEGORIES GUIDELINES
Use the Gold/Yellow Score Sheets
PRO TEAM/DUET Give 7 Scores – Optional 3 Scores of 0.1 Difficulty (10.1 possible)
A perfect score is all 1.4’s and 3 difficulty bonuses.
You MUST score all seven categories, please score the difficulty bonus often
There are overalls so you might want to keep track of top scores on a notepad
GENERAL SPECIFICS
Each team is judges according to all general rules for all team dances below category specifics on the score sheet.
Technical – How in sync they are with arms, lines, mistakes, spacing, formations
Artistic – How well choreographed the dance is including creativity, movement, music, showmanship, energy, appearance
Sound – How well sound is used in the dance. Clarity, strength, a special place to mark how well double doubles are done, endurance and how unique the steps are.
Using all these three areas, judge the dance.
DIFFICULTY BONUSES
If a team excels, give them a difficulty bonus. A good pro team should have at least one difficulty bonus. Please use them as we use these bonuses to break ties.
CATEGORY SPECIFICS
Each team/duet category has something specific to be judges. Use these boxes at the top to judge the specific items in each category.
Precision
· Watch for Couple work. Turns, partners. This is not a line dance. Should have traditional costumes and music (words and pants are OK).
· Watch for Circle. Should involve both small and large circle figures.
Line
· All done in lines. No touching, holding hands or circles.
· Watch for straight lines, ripples (progessions), and movement.
Standing Line
· Done as if written for one person performed by many. Everyone always in sync. No ripples or someone out of step with another
· Formation should move together without spacing issues
· Lines should remain straight.
Traditional Line
· This is a dance with TRADITIONAL DRAG SLIDE steps only. No Canadians, no hop doubles, every step must include a drag slide. Some buck may be done, but it shouldn’t be exclusive. Watch for drag slide steps.
· No choreographed arm movements. Teams may clap and move their arms, but it shouldn’t happen that they all do the same thing at once.
· Similar to Standing line, they move all together in one formation, no changes and no ripples
· Energy and power are a large part of this dance as is creativity. Think of the good old days when we danced 90 miles an hour! (Were they that long ago?)
Show
· Dance should have a theme. A prop is alright. Should not be a line dance with a soundtrack song. Look for items in the dance that relate to the theme.
· Stunts and lifts are welcome, but not required.
· Dance must be 50% clogging.
Open, Small, All Guys
· Anything can go in these dance categories.
· Another dance can’t be competed in these categories (someone can’t compete their precision in the precision category and then do it again in open. Do each dance just once per level).
· Judge it on your overall impression with the criteria below.
· Can be a line dance. Can be a funky dance. Anything can go. Dance
· Small props are allowed
Duets
· Watch for couple work and working together.